Know the side effects before buying Viagra online

Viagra is perhaps the most widely known drug for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. It is the popular brand name of Sildenafil. Viagra belongs to the PDE5 inhibitor class and the way it works is that it relaxes the muscles which are in the blood vessels and hence it increases the blood flow to the penis when the person is sexually aroused. This results in an erection, though it is with the help of Viagra. Using Viagra comes with a set of precautions that one should be aware of to prevent side effects. It is useful to know the potential side effects of Viagra before buying Viagra from an online pharmacy.

Precautions when consuming Viagra

One should only buy and take Viagra if it is prescribed by your doctor. There are a number of side effects and warnings which a normal layperson may not be aware of and hence, it needs to be taken under medical supervision. Self-medication is not advised.

a) Grapefruit should be avoided while consuming Viagra because grapefruit reduces the effect on Viagra and in that case you need to consume more pills which lead to toxic level.

b) When taken with alcohol, it causes headaches, dizziness, and upset stomachs.

c) You should not take Viagra if you are taking any form of nitrate drugs. These nitrate drugs are usually given for heart problems or chest pain. If Viagra is taken in combination with these medications, it could lead to a sudden drop in the blood pressure and make the person feel faint or dizzy. It could also lead to the person getting a heart attack or even a stroke.

d) If combined with recreational drugs containing nitrates, the same effects could be brought on.

e) When Viagra is taken with alpha blockers the blood pressure tends to drop to very low.

f) The person should be healthy to engage in sexual activity as it puts an extra strain on the body and the heart in particular.

g) The FDA has not given its stamp of approval for Viagra to be taken by women suffering from low libido. Similarly, when women are breastfeeding, it is best to avoid taking Viagra as there aren’t enough studies which inform of the effect on the baby.

The side effects of Viagra

Side effects of taking Viagra include headaches, flushing in the face, neck and chest, indigestion and upset stomach, abnormal vision, back pain, nasal congestion, tenderness or muscle pain, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, and rashes.

Serious side effects

Some side effects which are more serious are changes or loss of vision, hearing loss or ringing in the ears, irregular heartbeat and chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling of feet, ankles or hands, lightheadedness, hives, painful erections or erections lasting more than four hours.

Drugs which react adversely with Viagra

When one is on antibiotics, antifungal medication, medication for hepatitis C, HIV or AIDS medication, medications for seizures or tuberculosis Viagra should not be taken at the same time. In addition, Viagra should be avoided when taking Cimetidine, Imatinib, Bosentan, St John’s wort as well as Nefazodone.